DARING BID FOR LIBERTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21982, 17 June 1933, Page 12

DARING BID FOR LIBERTY

STOWAWAY DIVES FROM LINER SWIMS ASHORE IN ICY WATER. (Per United. Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 16. A desperate bid for liberty was made to-night by a young German stowaway who was being taken from Auckland to Sydney by the Matson liner Mariposa, when he dived into the harbour from the vessel and succeeded in reaching the shore. The stowaway, Fritz Kreuser, aged 21, was in custody on the Mariposa with a young Australian named Reginald Wright. Kreuser’s companion evidently had the same opportunity to reach the shore, but elected to remain on board the liner. Not long after reaching the safety of the wharves after his strenuous swim in the icy waters, Kreuzer, who is a fair-headed, slim young man, was identified by the police as one of the stowaways who were brought from Suva by the Mariposa in the morning. Kreuzer, in spite of the rigid watch kept on him, escaped detection as the Mariposa was leaving the harbour for Sydney., He reappeared before the authorities in a surprising manner.

The liner deft the wharf just after 5 p.m'., and was going down the harbour past the King’s wharf at 5.20. According to the young German’s statement, he managed to leave custody in a manner which has not been explained. He then made his way forward to the forecastle head, a few feet from the anchor. Kreuzer plunged from the liner into the harbour, a height of some 40 feet. His dive carried him-clear from the tow of .the Mariposa. He then struck out for the lights on the wharves. Hampered by his clothing, and swimming in chilly water, Kreuzer had a hazardrous task ahead of him, but he succeeded in landing at the steps at the end of the King’s wharf before 6 o’clock. The young man then walked to where the steamer Omana was completing loading further along the wharf. With his clothes dripping wet, Kreuzer went on board and explained to tbe passengers and crew that he had been watching the Mariposa going out and that, dazzled by the lights on the wharf, he fell into the harbour. Those on board set about providing warmth- for the young man, and stimulants were given bim. Meanwhile some person informed the Queen’s Wharf Police Station that a man had fallen into the harbour. A constable took Kreuzer in a taxicab to Volcanic street, Balmortil, where the young man said he had friends. The constable returned with particulars of the young man to the station, where Sergeant Thompson thought the description agreed with that of one of the young men deported from Suva. The sergeant and a constable immediately returned to Volcanic street, where their - suspicions were confirmed. Kreuzer was immediately taken into custody and brought into the city. The young man was little the worse for his experience. According to a story ho told, he was not anxious to be returned to Germany, but preferred to stay in the British Empire. No intimation that Kreuzer had disappeared was received from the Mari.posa, so a radiogram advising that the young German had swum ashore and had been arrested was sent to the master of the liner. . . Kreuzer is to be charged in the 1 once Court to-morrow morning.